...pony up

Deliver the letter, the sooner the better. We are coming up on one of the most popular card giving seasons, and I for one, am thankful for stamps. Email cards are nice, but I would rather send/receive paper ones. It helps to keep Postal Workers employed, and gives those cute ponies a break. I installed the Graber Cellular Shades this past Sunday with the help of 5 year old design assistant Sophie. Everything worked out beautifully. I also had a lesson in the TOP 10 Princesses of all time. We had Thanksgiving Dinner at B and G's home, gathering around a decorated Ping-Pong table, and why not? We almost needed the Postal Service or the Pony Express to deliver simple messages such as, 'please pass the vodka' or salt for those of you who use it. On this day in 1861 The Pony Express officially ceased operations. All of the ponies got jobs at parks and circuses after that and had a real ball. Have fun, work hard and pay of your Credit Card balances every month. That applies to all of you Princesses out there too. "Horse Right" needlepoint pillow shown today.

"Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe."
Voltaire

...sun, moon and stars

Tomorrow we will see another full moon. It really sets the stage for Halloween. I packaged the demi lune table late last night.Talk about scary! On this day in 1966 The Supremes became the first all-female music group to attain a No. 1 selling album (The Supremes A' Go-Go). Back to scary. "Devil Woman" was originally recorded by Cliff Richard who gave the song a pop mystery. Later, Cradle of Filth covered it. Sweet dreams! My favorite song at this time of year is the beautiful Kim Carnes with her "Bette Davis Eyes". A little S&M never 'hurt' anyone. "Modern Sun" mirror shown today.

"Oh, don't let's ask for the moon. We've already got the stars." Bette Davis

...let the scares begin

It is almost Halloween! Webbed windows, tombstones and horribly ugly creatures are everywhere! Even at work, let me tell you. Boo! On this day in 1967 a purported bigfoot was filmed by Patterson and Gimlin. Thankfully the duo had cinemascope 'cause that freak was huge. I came home to a bunch of Graber Pleated Shades, all nicely boxed, needlepoint rugs and pillows and a couple of bolts of fabric. Who has time for all of this work when we all work so hard? Make the time. And be thankful for the abundance. And the freaks.

"It's as much fun to be scared as to scare." Vincent Price

...man's best friend

The weather was unseasonably warm yesterday and when I finally got home, I found a pair of sandals waiting for me at my bedroom door. No, I didn't put them there but I am sure that my 'housemates' did. Some people don't give our four legged friends enough credit. I am also pretty sure that the teeth used to pluck the sandals from my closet would match the tooth marks in the pedestal table, but I'm not going there. I don't really care. On this day in 1851 Herman Melville's Moby-Dick was first published as The Whale by Richard Bentley of London.
The book portrays insecurity that is still seen today when it comes to non-human beings along with the belief that these beings understand and act like humans.Uhm, yeah! Peace, love, abundance and clarity. And watch your sandals! I have no idea what goes on when I'm not around. I also don't hide my car keys.
"Set your goals high, and don't stop till you get there."
Bo Jackson
"Don't stop 'till you get enough" Michael Jackson

...digitalis

Digitalis is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and biennials that are commonly called foxgloves. It is often prescribed for patients in atrial fibrillation, especially if they have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Some evil people put it in tossed salads to do away with their less than loved ones. "Please pass the Balsamic Vinaigrette" are sometimes the last words uttered from these folks. Speaking of death, on this day in2001 the Polaroid Corporation filed for federal bankruptcy protection. Perhaps not digitalis but digital in general was the cause of their ailments. I used my digital camera yesterday after measuring and choosing a houseful of cellular shades for a great client. They have moved into a home that no longer lends itself to their Farmhouse Country furnishings, some of which I have placed on my website for quick sales. Be good to others, keep the positive energy going and if someone who doesn't have your back offers you a "tossed salad", maybe stick to the soup instead.
"Free men are the strongest men." Wendell Willkie

...petty cash

The fabric for EW is on it's way. A dark ruby red with gold flocking will surely ad richness to her room. Adding Euro shams to the bill was pushing the envelope cost-wise, but I have a few design tricks up my sleeve. Don't fret EW! Some design firms have their decorators fighting for sales and sometimes it can be a wrestling match...especially when a lamp sale has to be broken down and divided in percentages as to who gets 12.234%, who gets 21.75% and so on. Fun times. On this day in 2006, Google Inc. announced it was buying YouTube Inc. for $1.65 billion in a stock deal.Hey guys, add a couple of Euro Shams to that order!
Tomorrow I visit a return client who has purchased a new home after her young husbands untimely passing from cancer. We never know what tomorrow brings y'all, so save the petty for the cash jar.
"Change before you have to." Jack Welch

...communicate

I had many dreams last night, one of which was my Max. Some say that dreams help to relieve the stresses of the day and I won't argue. I do think that sometimes they are something more. I no longer keep a pillow where he used to rest his head and hope that he sleeps peacefully in Heaven. I know that my Mom does. Maybe she is keeping a pillow for him up there.
On this day in 1860 a telegraph line between Los Angeles and San Francisco opened. It made it easier for Lindsay Lohan and the paparazzi to keep in touch when they weren't sharing the same coast. On this day tomorrow it will have been seven years since my Mom's death. I wish they had a telegraph line from here to Heaven, but think of the cost of that cell phone bill!I wanted to continue working on those custom board mounted valances, but the day...and then the night got away from me.
The sun is beginning it's ascent and we have another day. Lucky for us! Make the best of it, keep the lines of communication open and look for other ways to communicate. I do, and it has worked out pretty well over the years.
"Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done."
Louis D. Brandeis

...comfort zone

It is oddly grey and raining in Chester County this morning. I have a fun-filled day ahead and need to pack in as much as I can on my day off. First, a visit to the dentist. Then two design problem calls. One is a huge shade that refuses to cooperate and then it's a huge traverse rod that has the same type of bad attitude. I will fix both 'cause it's my job! Life cannot always be a Norman Rockwell painting. Photo shopping your life tho' can make people think that it is! My favorite Holiday album of all time is Carpenters "Christmas Portrait" and is considered to be one of the best Holiday albums of all time by critics and the popular vote also. Carpenters chose a Rockwell-esque cover for the millions and millions sold album, released in 1978. In 1978 Richard was heavily addicted to quaaludes while Karen was in the beginning throws of Anorexia Nervosa. Their lives were a living hell at the same time they released a magical collection that has stood the test of time. On this day in 1941, Norman Rockwell's Willie Gillis character debuted on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post. EW emailed me yesterday and would like to add a Custom Tailored Dust Ruffle and Euro Shams to her bedroom design. I will cross my fingers that the fabric is readily available! Interestingly, when I hit 'spell check' on this blog entry, 'anorexia nervosa' was not in the dictionary. How I wish that it wasn't a necessary addition. Have a great day, be a good person and if things aren't going exactly as you would like them to be going, photo shop; if only for the moment.
"Fortune favors the prepared mind." Louis Pasteur